Sharon Smith

(From Parker Mortuary)

May 28, 1942 to March 22, 2021

Sharon Smith passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021 after a 2-year battle with lung cancer. She was at home, surrounded by her loud, loving family as she wished. She was not ready to leave this world as there were more flowers to plant, more paintings she wanted to create and just more life to live.

Sharon lived life on her own terms from early childhood. Being the youngest of three children for much of her life, she was also the only girl at least until her little sister came along 14 years later. 

Having two older brothers, she was always the “bad guy” that her “cowboy” older brothers rounded up and sent to jail (read “tied me to a tree”). Sharon got a cowgirl outfit the next Christmas and there was a new sheriff in town; from then on, Sharon was in charge. She started riding and then showing Tennessee Walking Horses for their neighbor at 8 years old. At the age of 10, she won the distinction of Best Youth Rider in 3 states.

 

She was raised in Southwest Missouri, graduated high school from Webb City, MO. Sharon chose to go back to college when she was in her 30s, receiving her Master’s Degree in Social Work from MU. As a Clinical Social Worker, Sharon worked with different populations. She was very proud of being able to work as a Medical Social Worker with Hospice when it first started at St. John’s Hospital in Joplin. She was a therapist with Ozark Center for 20 years working with children and families. After retiring, she became more involved with her painting, playing in her new green house, and became a foster parent for puppies.

Sharon raised three children and then met the love of her life, Harold, and “acquired” three more. She was very proud of her family, loved being a grandmother and spending time with her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She taught these little people to paint, plant flowers, or any other activity that involved getting messy. Recently, Sharon was able to enjoy seeing two great grandsons come in to the world.

Sharon was much loved by her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that any contributions be made to the Joplin Humane Society.